Bringing The House Down For 20 Years Of Saguijo

Last Saturday (June 1) marked the 20th anniversary show of celebrated gig venue, Saguijo.

Since 2004, the unassuming, two-storey house has served as the grounds where musical legends and newcomers meet. Beyond just the bands that play there, Saguijo has always held a certain charm that makes the venue so endearing after all these years. Maybe it’s the fact that there’s no “real” stage, or the fact that there are stickers, murals, and posters on almost every wall, or that there’s… much to be desired when it comes to the restrooms. But Saguijo has heart. And for that, we’ll always keep coming back for more.

On that night, Saguijo was in every bit of the word, packed. People stood shoulder to shoulder, trying to get past other people as they squeezed to get in front. Whether it was Miggy Chavez of Chicosci screaming into the microphone or Flying Ipis’ Deng Garcia jumping off an amplifier, the night was filled with so many faces in the Filipino music scene, all bound together by heavy, rock sound. There was even a point in the night where Zild and Ena Mori made a surprise appearance during One Click Straight’s performance of their song, “S.S.H.”

It’s these moments that make Saguijo a permanent institution in the Filipino music scene. With such a small space, you can’t help but get up close and personal with your favorite artists, which in turn spawns moments that wouldn’t be able to happen in a large area.

Last Saturday night proved that music, beyond just the sounds or the artists themselves, is all about community. It’s through physical spaces where we are able to form a deeper love for Filipino music in all its forms — whether you’re performing in the biggest of arenas or the most intimate of bars.

Check out more pictures from Saguijo’s 20th anniversary show below.